GPS 12 "upload not present"

Yesterday, I had a fully functioning Garmin GPS12 running software 4.00. I went to the Garmin site and saw that 4.60 update was available for GPS12's running 4.00 or higher. I downloaded 4.60 to my PC and started the upload to the GPS12. I got a message like "upload in progress" but after about 10 minutes, the dreaded "upload not present" showed on the LCD screen. At that point the GPS12 would not function except for turning on and off with the power button and displaying the "upload not present" message. I attempted to re-try the upload but both the "Updater" and "WebUpdater" programs report that software version 3.62 is resident (not the original 4.00 or the desired 4.60) and that no updates are available for this system. So this is where it stands- no operation, no ability to update or even get back to original (pre-update) status. Furthermore, The Garmin site suggest that repair service is no longer available for the GPS12.

5 Answers

I have a Garmin GPS 12, which has worked perfectly over the last 10 years until a few days ago. It was on and working fine, I marked a waypoint, turned it off and put it in my pocket. 45 minutes later I pulled it out and when I tried to turn it on it only showed the message "UPLOAD NOT PRESENT". Nothing I did would get it to show me anything different (I tried all kinds of button sequences...holding some down for many seconds, pressing multiple at the same time, etc.). The only thing it would do was turn on and show me that message, or turn off. I called Garmin and they said they could repair it, but that would require shipping it to them. They said it would cost $59 (which included the repair and shipping back to me, but I was responsible for whatever it cost to ship it to them). I asked if they would be able to save my routes and waypoints if they "repair" it, but they couldn't guarantee that. I told them that I heard "reloading the firmware" or "uploading the newest update" might fix it AND keep my routes and waypoints. They told me that might work. I didn't have the PC interface cable that was necessary in order to connect it to my computer to update it, so I asked them what it would cost to buy one from them. They said it would be $38.09 through them, but that I could get it cheaper on the Internet (part # 010-10141-00). Then they said they actually may have some of them sitting around in a box somewhere (I'm assuming they meant used cables). They checked around and found one and shipped it to me at no charge! It arrived in a couple days. Then I just plugged it into one of the serial ports in the back of my computer, plugged the other end into the GPS and turned it on, went to Garmin's website: http://www8.garmin.com/products/gps12/download.html and downloaded version 4.60. I'm not sure what version was on my GPS originally (I obviously couldn't check anymore since it wasn't working), but the user manual that came with it said "Software Version 4.03 or above". It asked me to unzip the downloaded files and stored them on my hard drive at C:garmin. I opened up the file named 460_UPDT.TXT and followed the directions listed there (which are slightly different from the directions listed on the website's update page). One of the steps said to "Turn on your GPS and ensure the Serial Data Format is set to "GARMIN". You can find this setting in Setup Menu -> Interface." I couldn't do this since mine only displayed the message "UPLOAD NOT PRESENT", so I just ignored this step. I opened up the file named UPDATER.EXE and had it "auto-detect" when it asked me which serial port I used. The message on the GPS screen changed to "UPLOAD IN PROGRESS" and it only took about 4 minutes until the upload was done. The GPS screen then changed to the start-up screen where it acquires satellites and asked me to enter my country and state. Everything seems to be back to normal and all my routes and waypoints are still there. Even better, it didn't cost me anything but time.

Put the downloaded GPS12_460.exe file in a folder that you can find. Go to that folder and double click on the .exe file. It will open up into a window where you will press "unzip" files. Now in that same folder, there will be an UPDATER.EXE file. Double click that file and a window will open asking which COM port (1,2,or 3) you device is located. Plug your GPS12 into a serial port, or, into a USB port if you have a serial/usb converter device like I do (Tera Grand). My unit was not found at any of the given COM ports, so I went into Control Panel, Device Manager, and saw that it was at COM 6 under "Ports (COM & LPT)". I right clicked on the device (COM 6), pressed Properties, Port Settings, Advanced, where I changed to COM 6 to COM 3 in the drop down. Note, you may have to use COM 1 or COM 2, if COM 3 is already being used. Now that I changed it to COM 3, I went back to the UPDATE.EXE installer window and selected COM 3 where my GPS 12 was now located and ran the software updater. It took between 5 and 10 minutes for the software to load on my GPS12. Once it was loaded, my unit was back to the normal screen and functions. Note that I did lose all of my data, but that was because the internal rechargable battery souldered to the circuit board was dead. I had ordered one and replaced that first. Now my unit is usable again. Note that when I was trying to use the Garmin Express and Garmin Communicator software that I had downloaded from the Garmin site, it was not detecting my unit, even after I changed it from COM 6 to COM 3. That is why I used the software updater method described. Hope this helps. Thanks for the original post "hoosch" that pointed me in the right direction!Put the downloaded GPS12_460.exe file in a folder that you can find. Go to that folder and double click on the .exe file. It will open up into a window where you will press "unzip" files. Now in that same folder, there will be an UPDATER.EXE file. Double click that file and a window will open asking which COM port (1,2,or 3) you device is located. Plug your GPS12 into a serial port, or, into a USB port if you have a serial/usb converter device like I do (Tera Grand). My unit was not found at any of the given COM ports, so I went into Control Panel, Device Manager, and saw that it was at COM 6 under "Ports (COM & LPT)". I right clicked on the device (COM 6), pressed Properties, Port Settings, Advanced, where I changed to COM 6 to COM 3 in the drop down. Note, you may have to use COM 1 or COM 2, if COM 3 is already being used. Now that I changed it to COM 3, I went back to the UPDATE.EXE installer window and selected COM 3 where my GPS 12 was now located and ran the software updater. It took between 5 and 10 minutes for the software to load on my GPS12. Once it was loaded, my unit was back to the normal screen and functions. Note that I did lose all of my data, but that was because the internal rechargable battery souldered to the circuit board was dead. I had ordered one and replaced that first. Now my unit is usable again. Note that when I was trying to use the Garmin Express and Garmin Communicator software that I had downloaded from the Garmin site, it was not detecting my unit, even after I changed it from COM 6 to COM 3. That is why I used the software updater method described. Hope this helps. Thanks for the original post "hoosch" that pointed me in the right direction!

I renamed the middle numbers : 400 with the vesion number reported bythe GPS Unit. Here is what I did ---------I renamed the Update BIN Files:009604000460.BIN and 008704000460.BIN -To:009603620460.BIN and 008703620460.BIN -The 400 is the version it is looking for separated by a zero(0) then the update version number 460. So I thought I would rename the bins-Trick it so to speak.

After Renaming just the 2 bin filles mentioned above, (the other is of no consiquence -(013804560460) NO CHANGE REQUIERED. Make Sure You Have Good Power and the Port Settings are Correct. Also, Lets Not Forget A Good Conection. Just run the updater.exe - not the other ones - it now should do what it's supossed to do - ULPOAD IN PROGRESS. Mine took no more than a min or 2 . WAIT FOR IT TO FINISH.

One word - I did lose all my waypoints butI was lucky I had them backed up.

Hi!I didn't have any problems, but when i tried to update the first
time, the update.exe gave the error "The product is not responding".
this happens every time i try, the gps says "upload in progress". When I
restart the gps, it gives me "upload not present".Which port
settings work?? when I change them, i can reach 31%, but never 100 :-(pleeease I need good port settings!

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I had a problem when I went to the Garmin site to update my 2820. After the update, the touch screen function didn't work--it would freeze and I'd have to reboot it. In contacting Garmin, even though this was a high-end GPS and was not inexpensive when it came out, they said they would no longer support it and they wouldn't offer any suggestions as to how or who to go to in order to return its functionality. It looks like what happened when they stopped their customer support that they combined the software from the 2820 with their Nuvi software and while that might work for the map, it deactivated the touch-screen and bluetooth function. My unit still does not work.

First make sure the unit is fully charged,then go to the Garmin site and register your product. Then download Garmin Updater and connect your unit with a usb cable directly to your computer and not thru a USB hub. Let the update go directly to the GPS and not a folder. It will take a few hours even with a fast internet connection. I have attached a link to the Garmin site. Thanks for using FixYa

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I had the same problem and it took me some time to make my cable. I got this info from fix ya. Reload the software for your unit, I googled garmingps12 and went to downloads from the garmin selections.The software is not compatable with vista, so I ended up using my old computer to do the job. http://pfranc.com/projects/g45contr/assemb.htm
This web site gives good information on making your own cable.
I hope all works for you as it did for me. justaxiom

If you haven't used the gps for a while they can try to operate with the incorrect catalog or time. Unless these are both correct it gets lost. Usually you can correct this with a forced reset. There is also a update for this unit which also forces the update.
http://www8.garmin.com/products/gps12/download.html
The data cable sort of screws on and makes contact with 4 pins. This is the little round connector. It does both power and data. The cable is a wee bit pricey from Garmin but you can make them or just get one from ebay.
The reset usually wipes out any saved routes poi's etc so using the data cable will save all of those. To reset the 12 I believe you hold the lower right corner of the screen and then power it on to reset. Then you need to let it rub until it gets the new data which can take 5-50 minutes. Makes sure your batteries are good.
I'd recommend the data cable route (use a 'gasp' non garmin cheap cable) and upload the update at the same time and you should be good to go try and get lost again.

first thing you need to do, is make sure the battery is fully charged. a low battery will cause slow down or prevent the satellites from linking up to your nuvi.

whether that cures the problem or not, go HERE and download the Garmin Web updater and install it on your computer and once the program is running, hook up you nuvi via the usb cable to your computer. the updater will find any available updates for your nuvi automaticly.

no sense searching the garmin site for something that may or may not be there when the updater does it for you.

Go into your device and pull up the setup section. There should be a selection that needs to be checked called WAAS. When that is selected your accuracy should be +- 3 meters if I remember correctly. At any rate it will be much more accurate.